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Maryland State Parks Receive $17,443 Through Odwalla Plant A Tree Program

Maryland Finishes in Third Place behind Michigan, Pennsylvania

Annapolis, Md. (January 27, 2011) —The Maryland Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) and the Maryland Parks Service (MPS) will receive $17,443 for
planting trees in Maryland State Parks after finishing in third place in the
Odwalla Plant A Tree program. From May 25 through December 31, 2010, Maryland
competed for tree-planting funds through the program, a partnership between
Odwalla, MPS and the 49 other states. The program was designed to build
stewardship, raise awareness and earn money for important reforestation and
planting initiatives.

“This is a tremendous win for Maryland State Parks and for all Maryland
citizens, who will enjoy the benefits of more trees in our State,” said DNR
Secretary John Griffin. “We are grateful for the efforts of Odwalla to raise
awareness about the importance of trees and for everyone who helped achieve this
terrific success.”

Marylanders voted by planting virtual trees on the Odwalla website, and the
company donated $1.00 per tree to MPS. Governor Martin O’Malley was among
citizens who planted trees last year, seen here casting his vote at the Maryland
State Fair. Through the contest, a total of 200,000 virtual trees were planted
in states across the country; Maryland came in third place with 17,443 trees
planted, behind Pennsylvania (second place with 30,656 trees) and Michigan
(first place with 46,124 trees). All 50 states competed in the program in 2010,
an expansion from only 11 participating states in 2009.

To go beyond the virtual world, Marylanders are encouraged to plant real trees
through the Marylanders Plant Trees program. Launched in April 2009 in
cooperation with participating nurseries, Marylanders Plant Trees continues to
offer $25 coupons toward the purchase of native trees costing $50 or more,
redeemable at nearly 70 nurseries across the State. Marylanders who register
their trees will not only be eligible for prizes, but they will be able to see
the environmental benefits of their trees through interactive maps and charts.
For more information about the program, go to
www.trees.maryland.gov.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state
agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to
citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands
and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and
wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A
national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic
and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead
agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number
one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov